The holy grail of content creation. Every “how to market your book” guide swears by it. Every social media expert will chant it. But : there’s a fine line between being consistent and being that author who posts about their book like it’s the only thing standing between them and the world ending.
Creating content as an author is tough, and doing it consistently? Even tougher.
Let’s start with a truth bomb: forcing content is like forcing someone to laugh at a dad joke. If your post starts with “I didn’t really know what to say, but here goes…”, take it down immediately. Your fans will thank you.
When you’re not feeling it, don’t post. It’s better to skip a day (or even a week) than to whip out a post that feels like it was written by an AI on its break. Your fans are here for you—your own voice, your own fun, your passion. So if you’re not bringing that to the table, take a moment. The algorithm can wait.
The secret to consistent content: planning. Think like meal prepping for gym, but instead of chicken and rice, you’re stocking up on spicy tweets and Instagram reels.
Start by brainstorming stuff that relate with your readers:
– The struggles of being a writer (How do you even start Chapter Two?)
– Fun facts about your book or characters (Yes, my villain’s love of bikes is plot-relevant).
– Bookish humor (“Plot twist: I have no idea what I’m doing.”)
– Behind-the-scenes glimpses into your writing life (Behold: my fortress of coffee mugs).
Write everything down. Even the weird stuff. Especially the weird stuff. Because here’s the thing—every idea has siblings. Let’s say you noted down, “Share a quote from my book.” Boom, now you’ve got:
– A plain text post.
– A snazzy graphic.
– A reel with dramatic voiceover (and maybe some moody music).
– Q&A asking readers, “What would you do in this character’s place?”
One idea becomes four pieces of content. Multiply that by a week’s worth of ideas, and you’re basically a content factory.
Listen, creating content doesn’t mean reinventing the book every time. If something works, milk it. Share that popular post on a different platform. Turn that funny Twitter quip into an Instagram caption. Make a blog post out of your most asked questions.
Got a book? Here’s how you turn one book into a content goldmine:
- Share an excerpt (bonus points for cliffhangers).
- Create graphics with your best quotes.
- Talk about what inspired the book.
- Run polls: “Team Hero or Team Villain?”
- Do a reel showing your book in different settings (Book Takes a Vacation).
This way, you’re not starting from scratch every time. You’re just remixing your biggest hits.
You became a writer to write, not to become a one-person marketing agency. But here’s the reality: in today’s world, writing a great book is only half the battle. If you’re not promoting your work, it’s like talking your masterpiece into a void.
Marketing doesn’t have to be soul-crushing, though. The key is to find what feels authentic to you. If you hate being on camera, skip the TikTok dances. If writing witty captions is your jam, focus on Instagram. Play to your strengths, and your enthusiasm will shine through.
And don’t be afraid to experiment! Sometimes, your audience will surprise you. That silly post about your cat knocking over your manuscript? Might just go viral.
Burnout is the enemy of consistency. One day, you’re a content machine. Next, you’re staring at your laptop, wondering if the world really needs another Bookstagram post.
To avoid this, set boundaries. Create in batches when you’re feeling inspired, so you have a stash of ready-to-go content for those meh days. Schedule your posts ahead of time. And most importantly, give yourself permission to rest.
Your readers care about you, not just the number of posts you put out. If you’re not feeling it, take a break. Come back when you’re refreshed and ready to bring the fire.
At the end of the day, content creation isn’t about shouting into the nothing—it’s about building relationships. Engage with your audience. Respond to comments. Ask questions. Make them feel like they’re part of your journey.
Readers don’t just want to read your book; they want to connect with the person behind the words. Show them your quirks, your humor, your love of snacks at midnight. Be human.
It’s about showing up in a way that feels genuine and sustainable. Plan ahead, work smarter (not harder), and don’t be afraid to step back when you need to. Create content that makes you authentically true to yourself.
